Every new review on The Review Caddie includes a Caddie Scorecard: four scores out of 5, each with a one-line reason. This page explains what those scores mean, how we arrive at them, and what they don’t cover.
What our scores are based on
Our scores come from research and comparison, not wear testing. For every product we review, we work through:
- Manufacturer specs and technology details, including materials, construction, and what each feature is designed to do
- Retailer data, including pricing, size runs, colorway availability, and stock across the retailers we track
- Side-by-side comparison with the main alternatives in the same category and price bracket
- Price history, so a temporary sale doesn’t inflate a value score
We’re upfront about this because it shapes what we can and can’t judge fairly. That’s why you won’t see scores for comfort, grip, durability or accuracy on our reviews. Those need hours on the course, and we’d rather leave them out than guess. When we start testing products hands-on, we’ll add those criteria and say so on this page.
The four criteria
Every scorecard uses the same structure: three criteria that apply to everything we review, plus one that changes depending on the type of product.
Style
How a product looks and how well it’s finished. We judge silhouette, colorway choices, detailing and overall design against what else is out there in the category. A high score means it stands out for the right reasons; a lower score usually means it’s functional rather than distinctive, not that it looks bad.
Versatility
How much use you’ll get out of it beyond its core job. What that means depends on the product:
- Shoes and apparel: how well it works off the course as well as on it
- Weather gear: the range of conditions and seasons it can handle
- Tech: whether it earns a place in your life outside of a round, such as a GPS watch that works as an everyday watch
Spec Value
What you’re getting for the money. We weigh the technology, materials and features against the regular price and against similarly priced alternatives. A $155 shoe can score higher here than a $90 one if it gives you more for the extra spend.
The flexible fourth criterion
- Range and Fit (shoes and apparel): colorway range, wide fit options, size runs, and inseam or length options. A product scores lower here if key options are limited, such as wide fit only being available in a couple of colorways.
- Features (golf tech): how the spec sheet stacks up against rivals, covering things like slope adjustment, battery life, magnification, course coverage and app support. This is separate from Spec Value: Features judges the spec on its own terms, while Spec Value judges it against the price.
What the numbers mean
We score in half points from 1 to 5.
- 5: Best in class. Hard to find better at any price.
- 4: Strong. A clear point in its favor.
- 3: Solid. Does the job without standing out.
- 2: Below par for the category or price.
- 1: A real weak point. Worth knowing before you buy.
Scores are judged against the rest of the category at the time of review, so a shoe is scored against other golf shoes, not against a rangefinder. We don’t give an overall score. Four separate scores tell you more than one averaged number, and the right product depends on which criteria matter most to you.
Keeping scores current
Golf gear changes quickly. Prices shift, colorways get added or dropped, and new models arrive. When something changes that affects a score, like a permanent price drop or a wider size run, we update the scorecard along with the review.
Affiliate links and independence
The Review Caddie earns a commission when you buy through some of the links on our site, at no extra cost to you. That never affects a score. Products don’t score higher because we earn more on them, we don’t accept payment for reviews or scores, and we don’t sell sponsored placements in our reviews, roundups or buying guides. Every product on the site is there because we think it’s worth considering. You can read more in our Affiliate Disclosure.
Questions or corrections
If you think we’ve got something wrong, whether a spec, a price or a score, let us know through our contact button in the footer and we’ll take a look.